Badrinath, in Chamoli district, is the shrine of Lord Vishnu on the banks of the Alaknanda, below the Neelkanth massif. It is the only one of the four dhams reachable entirely by road, which makes it the most accessible. Mana village, the last village before the Tibet border region, is a short drive away.
About this page: Registration rules were checked against the official registration portal on 2026-10-25. Distances are approximate and from secondary sources. Confirm road, convoy and lodging status before travel.
Things to see
- Badrinath Temple. Colourful temple on the Alaknanda; Tapt Kund hot spring is by the river below it.
- Mana village. A short drive from Badrinath. Often called India's last village in the region.
- Vasudhara Falls. Waterfall reached on foot from Mana. Check trail conditions before you go.
- Joshimath. Winter seat of Badrinath and the usual halt on the way up.
- Auli. Ski and viewpoint destination close to Joshimath.
How to reach Badrinath
By road
Rishikesh - Devprayag - Srinagar - Rudraprayag - Karnaprayag - Chamoli - Joshimath - Badrinath. Allow one full day to Joshimath or Pipalkoti and a short drive the next morning.
By rail
Rishikesh (Yog Nagari) and Haridwar are the practical railheads.
By air
Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun), then road.
The last stretch
The motor road reaches Badrinath. The NH route is subject to landslide closures, particularly on the stretch around Joshimath and in monsoon. Vehicle movement beyond Joshimath is sometimes held in convoy windows; check current traffic advisories.
Where to stay
Badrinath has hotels, dharamshalas and GMVN lodges, but demand is high in May-June. Joshimath and Pipalkoti offer more choice a short drive down.
Food
Vegetarian meals in dhabas and hotel restaurants. Prasad is available at the temple.
Budget
No reliable current price list was verified for this page. Costs mostly depend on vehicle hire and the number of nights. Check rates locally. Open the budget estimator.
Season and weather
Open only in the yatra season. In 2026 the opening was scheduled for 23 April. The closing date is announced by the temple committee around Vijayadashami; secondary sources report 13 November 2026 (others differ), so confirm. The highway can close after rain or snowfall.
Safety
- Check road status before leaving Joshimath; landslide closures are common.
- Altitude is about 3,100 m; take it easy on the first day if coming up from the plains.
- Respect local restrictions around Mana and the border areas.
Tips
- Pair Badrinath with Auli and the Valley of Flowers region in a single trip.
- Carry warm layers; evenings are cold even in summer.
Plan around Badrinath
Itineraries that include it
- Char Dham Yatra in 11 days (11 days)
Treks in the same district
- Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Trek (moderate, 6 days)
- Kuari Pass (moderate, 5 days)
- Brahmatal (moderate, 6 days)
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive all the way to Badrinath?
Yes. Of the four dhams it is the only one reached entirely by road.
Which is the nearest town with plenty of hotels?
Joshimath and Pipalkoti, though availability depends on current road and safety conditions.
Sources and verification
Last reviewed 2026-10-25. Prices, opening dates, road status and permits change often. Confirm with an official source before you travel.